“I’ve seen people blow granules off with leaf blowers or crack a shingle just by shifting their weight wrong.”
- Seen it too many times—once watched a guy “clean” his roof with a pressure washer. Looked great... until the next rainstorm, when half his granules were in the gutter.
- Folks think it’s just leaves, but those 3-tabs are touchier than they look. One wrong step and you’re buying a bundle of shingles.
- I get the DIY itch, but after crawling around on a 7/12 pitch in July, I’d rather keep my dignity (and ankles) intact.
- Pro tip: If you hear crunching underfoot, that’s not a good sign.
- I get the concern about damaging shingles, but I’ve seen plenty of folks use leaf blowers gently without any issues. It’s really about technique—low setting, don’t drag the nozzle across the surface, and keep your feet on the peaks, not in the valleys.
- Pressure washers though... yeah, that’s a no-go. Those things will strip granules faster than you think.
- Not every roof needs a pro every time. Single-story, low-pitch roofs? Careful DIY can work fine for basic debris. Steep or older roofs? That’s when I’d call someone in.
- If you’re hearing crunching, you’re probably walking where you shouldn’t—try to distribute your weight and avoid those soft spots.
- In my area (lots of pine needles), folks who clean their roofs every couple months with a blower seem to get way more life out of their shingles than people who let stuff pile up. Just my two cents.
Clearing debris off roofs is one of those things that looks easy until you’re up there, knees wobbling, pine needles everywhere. For my rentals, I’ve got a checklist: 1) Check the pitch—if it feels like a slip-n-slide, I call in backup. 2) Only use a leaf blower on low and keep it moving; no camping out in one spot. 3) Never, ever pressure wash—learned that the hard way with granules clogging gutters for months. If you’re hearing crunching, yeah, time to rethink your route... or maybe your shoes. Regular light cleaning seems to help shingle life, but I still bring in pros for anything steep or sketchy.
Pressure washing shingles... yeah, that’s a lesson you only need to learn once. I’ve seen folks blast away thinking they’re doing a deep clean, but all it does is strip off the protective granules and send them straight into the gutters or downspouts. Not to mention, you can actually force water up under the shingles if you’re not careful, which is a whole other headache.
I get the temptation to DIY, especially when it looks like just a bit of pine straw or leaves. But honestly, even with a low-pitch roof, there’s always that moment where you realize one wrong step and you’re sliding. I tried to clear my uncle’s roof last fall—looked easy from the ground, but halfway through, I was clinging to the ridge vent like my life depended on it. Ended up calling a buddy who does this for a living, and he showed up with harnesses and roof shoes. Made me realize how much safer (and faster) it is when you’ve got the right gear.
I’m with you on the leaf blower, though. Low setting, keep it moving, and don’t linger. I’d add: watch out for those brittle old shingles—sometimes even a gentle nudge can crack them if they’re past their prime. And if you’re in a spot with a lot of moss or algae, that’s a whole different beast. I’ve seen people try to scrape it off and end up doing more harm than good.
For me, anything over a 6/12 pitch or two stories up is a hard pass. Not worth the risk, especially if you’re not used to being up there. Light, regular cleaning helps, but there’s a reason pros have all that safety gear. I’d rather pay for a pro once a year than risk a hospital bill or worse.
Pressure washing shingles is like using a chainsaw to trim your bangs—sure, it gets the job done, but you’ll regret it fast. I’ve seen folks try everything from brooms to tennis rackets (don’t ask). Curious if anyone’s had luck with those roof-safe moss treatments? I keep seeing them at the hardware store but haven’t tried yet.
